Palestine and Australian politics

30 November 2015, Maria Vamvakinou MP (ALP, VIC): moved a Motion calling on the Government to include Palestinian refugees from Syria in any future intake of refugees from Syria.

30 November 2015, Melissa Parke MP (ALP, WA): seconded the Motion moved by Maria Vamvakinou MP – “Australia has an important role to play, financially and diplomatically in supporting UNRWA’s work and global efforts to achieve political settlements, in both the Israel-Palestine conflict and the Syrian conflict.”

26 November 2015, Andrew Wilkie (Ind., TAS): spoke about “rethinking our approach” to Palestine after tabling a public petition concerning the Australian aid budget – “What Australia must do is recognise the need for a Palestinian state and condemn Israel’s illegal acts of settlement and violence. It is alarming that too many of our political leaders appear to be beholden to Israeli interests at the expense of the Palestinian people.”

26 November 2015, Senator Dean Smith (Lib., WA): while speaking to a Motion concerning Syria and Iraq, commented on the situation in Israel and Palestine.“What has been occurring recently, with the campaign of incitement to violence and the murder of Israeli citizens at the hands of terrorists, offends every value that decent Australians hold dear.

25 November 2015, Senate Motion calling on Australian Government to initiate a FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH ISRAELSenator Bob Day (Family First, SA) – moves the Motion for an FTA with Israel.Senator Scott Ryan (Lib., VIC) – speaks in favour of the Motion
> See also questions/discussion around the Motion, with Senator Arthur Sinodinos (Lib., NSW) speaking in favour and Senator Penny Wong (ALP, SA) interjecting.

23 November 2015, House of Representatives: Tabling of a public petition calling for recognition of the State of Palestine, signed by 10 citizens.

9 November 2015, House of Representatives: Tabling of a public petition calling for recognition of the State of Palestine, signed by 1009 citizens.

9 November 2015,Christopher Pyne MP (Lib., SA): hints at Australia learning to become an “agile and nimble economy” similar to Israel – “The Assistant Minister for Innovation has just returned from Israel , where he met with people to see how they have become an agile and nimble economy. That is what we intend to bring about in this country over the coming years…”

22 October 2015, Michael Danby MP (ALP, Vic.):spoke of the recent upsurge of violence and stated the he was “particularly upset by comments from the Member for Fremantle, who has stood up in this parliament and blamed the victim.”

22 October 2015, Mark Dreyfus MP (ALP, Vic.): stated “whatever the grievances of the Palestinians, indiscriminate murder will never be a legitimate form of political protest.”

19 October 2015, Adam Bandt MP (Greens, Vic.): stated “Australia is falling behind the rest of the world in our refusal to seek a pathway to peace through the recognition of a Palestinian state.”

19 October 2015, Michael Sukkar MP (Lib., Vic.): addressed the violence in Palestine and Israel, stating “In times of trauma and crisis such as this, it is imperative that opinion makers, be they journalists or politicians, speak the truth and demonstrate moral clarity.”

15 October 2015, Senator David Fawcett (Lib., SA):in response to the escalation of violence in Palestine and Israel, stated that “there has been death and violence on both sides, but it is important that, when the media are reporting this and we are discussing it, we keep a balance on cause and effect.”

15 October 2015, Melissa Parke MP (ALP, WA): stated it is in Australia’s interest “that the brutal decades-long Israeli military occupation be brought to an end and that Palestinians have their own state at long last.”

14 October 2015, Senator Lee Rhiannon (Greens, NSW): commended John Salisbury‘s walk to Canberra and stated “there is no military solution to the security needs of Israelis and Palestinians. An end to this conflict requires a diplomatic solution.”